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What is creativity? This was the topic of our very first lecture in this unit, it opened our minds to the broad and undefinable subject of creativity which was needed for us to properly engage in the learning ahead.

we discussed among ourselves what we thought creativity was; “something that comes from within a person, comes from their thinking, feeling and circumstances. Its something new, unique, an original idea, inspired”.

We learned that there is no true definition of creativity but there is many theories; psychologists and intellectuals alike have spent their lives researching and coming up with their answers to creativity.

In the weeks reading we were introduces to the numerous theories of creativity; there are some more widely accepted than others but again it all comes down to personal opinion or theory.

The three classic theories of creativity are Psychoanalytic, behaviorist, and self actualization. Psychoanalytic is particularly famous because its highly disputed and un-liked, it suggests that “human creativity stems from an unconscious conflict between the primitive sexual urges and the repressed influences of our learned social conscience.” (D,G. 1981). The behaviorist theory (which i personally like) focuses on reinforcement for correct behavior, concluding that the things we do are the result of prior learning and rewarded behavior. Thirdly there is the self actualization theory that bases a persons creativity and its extent on the individuals choices and circumstances to be creative. There are also a whole lot more alternative views which have many convincing points and possibilities to think about.

In our workshop we all split into groups for each section of the reading, we then read that theory and once finished we all switched around so we could share the main points of the theory we read. After this we had small group discussions on what theories we supported most and why. This became quite heated as everyone had different ideas about creativity and how their lives represent the theory they support.

In my group one girl was adamant that the investment theory was true as she has become more artistic and more capable since she has studied art at uni, where her arty friend still paints on doors and wouldn’t know how to meet the standards to take her art to galleries or be more than an armature artist. Another girl argued against this taking from the special talent theory, that if you are talented enough you will go far, if you have no artistic ability then your hardly going to get far by studying art at uni.

In the end we came to a class conclusion that creativity is something that cannot be defined definitely but that it is different to the individual. Creativity results from our past experiences, our social/cultural context, out genetics, our prior learning and so much more. Creativity is affected by our exterior and interior circumstances, what ever that means is up to you. One thing i know is that every person is creative and that no persons creation is completely original.